An elderly woman allegedly beheaded her husband during an argument over breakfast, foreign media reports.

Margaret Wanjiru, 65, is accused of killing 99-year-old Ndung’u Mugachia around 7.30am on Sunday, September 5, in the village of Kagumo-ini, southern Kenya.

She started arguing with her daughter-in-law, who had given Mr Mugachia breakfast, according to police.

Catherine Ringera, a police official in the nearby town of Kandara, said:

“The husband came out to defend the daughter-in-law and that is when hell break loose.”

Wanjiru then ran for a machete before cutting off her husband’s right ear and slitting his throat, Kenyan newspaper the Daily Nation reports.

Her daughter-in-law, Betty Mumbi, said:

“She woke up and started insulting the husband and included me because I was the one serving him breakfast.

“The husband tried to calm her down, but it was in vain, as she dashed for the panga and slit his throat.

“I tried saving him, but she also started attacking me.

She added:

“He was lying outside the house as he tried to escape, but she overpowered him and cut off his head,” she added.”

Betty claimed that Wanjiru had previously threatened to kill her dad, allegedly assaulting him earlier this year, according to Naija News.

The pair had been married for 52 years and have six children.

Wanjiru allegedly did not want her husband to be given money or food, and they would regularly over about land and allegations of affairs.

Mr Mugachia was already dead by the time police arrived at the scene.

Wanjiru is being held at Kabati Police Station and is due to appear in court, Mwakilishi.com reports.

Mr Mugachia’s body is being kept at Gaichanjiru Catholic mission hospital mortuary, with a post-mortem due to be carried out.